About
Founded by
Sheldon Hurst, PhD
I started Hurst Product Lab because I kept running into the same problem — companies need someone who can design the hardware, write the firmware, build the software, and ship a finished product. Most shops do one of those things. I do all of them.
My background is unusual for this space. I hold a PhD in Molecular Microbiology, spent over a decade leading AI and data science teams at companies like Home Depot, Shipt, and LendingTree, and currently serve as Head of AI and Data Science at a defense contractor working on government programs. I've led teams ranging from 10 to 100+ engineers and data scientists, building everything from real-time machine learning platforms to computer vision systems for industrial applications.
But I've also designed, manufactured, and shipped hundreds of physical products through Hurst Product Lab — laboratory equipment, electronics enclosures, IoT accessories, and consumer goods. That combination of enterprise-scale AI leadership and hands-on maker experience is what makes this lab different.
Atlanta, Georgia
What I Bring to Every Project
Hardware Design
3D printed enclosures, mechanical assemblies, sensor integration, and electronics packaging. 50+ unique product designs shipped to customers worldwide.
Embedded Systems
Raspberry Pi, ESP32, Arduino — firmware development, IoT connectivity, BLE integration, and fleet management for deployed devices.
AI & Computer Vision
Machine learning model development and deployment on edge hardware. Object detection, counting systems, and real-time analytics for industrial environments.
Software Development
Python-based application development, database design, API development, cloud connectivity, and web interfaces that tie hardware systems together.
Background
Before launching Hurst Product Lab, I spent my career at the intersection of data science, engineering, and product development:
Head of AI & Data Science at a defense contractor — leading AI/ML development for government programs including document processing, parts discoverability, and optimization systems.
AI & Data Science Leadership at Home Depot, Shipt, LendingTree, and Edible Arrangements — building contextual recommendation engines, real-time ML platforms, and marketing science systems that generated measurable business impact.
PhD, Molecular Microbiology — a research background that taught me how to approach complex problems systematically and validate solutions with rigor.
Commercial Pilot & Aircraft Owner — because engineering isn't just my profession, it's how I think about everything.
By the Numbers
597+
Products Shipped
5.0
Star Rating (115 Reviews)
50+
Unique Designs
10+
Years Leading AI Teams
The Lab
Hurst Product Lab operates out of Atlanta, Georgia with a full prototyping workshop — multiple 3D printers (FDM and resin), laser cutter, electronics workbench, and testing equipment. This means rapid iteration with no vendor dependencies for early-stage prototypes.
When you work with me, you get direct access to the person designing, building, and programming your prototype. No account managers, no handoffs, no telephone game.
Have an idea that needs building?
Whether it's a hardware prototype, an embedded system, or an AI-powered device, let's talk about making it real.
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